Hunter Hayes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hunter Hayes
Hayes performing in Memphis, TN in August 2019
Background information
Birth name	Hunter Easton Hayes
Born	(1991-09-09) September 9, 1991 (age 33) Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	Country pop R&B blues pop country cajun pop rock alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano accordion
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Atlantic Nashville Warner Nashville LP Entertainment
Associated acts	Lady A Hunter Brothers

Hunter Easton Hayes (born September 9, 1991) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is also a talented multi-instrumentalist, meaning he can play many different musical instruments. In fact, he is skilled at more than 30 instruments!

Hunter Hayes released his first album, named Hunter Hayes, in 2011. This album was very popular, reaching number seven on the Billboard 200 chart. It also hit number one on the Top Country Albums chart and sold over 1.1 million copies. His most famous song from that album, "Wanted", sold over 3.5 million copies. This song made Hunter the youngest male artist to ever reach the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Because of his success and amazing musical skills, Billboard magazine called him a leader in "Country Music's Youth Revolution" in 2014. He has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. He also won the 2012 CMA Award for New Artist of the Year and three BMI Awards.

Hunter Hayes' Early Life and Career

Hunter Hayes was born on September 9, 1991, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He is an only child. His family has Cajun roots, along with English, Scots-Irish, and German heritage. He grew up in the Catholic faith and sang songs in both English and French.

How Hunter Hayes Started in Music

Hunter began performing when he was just two years old. By age four, he was already appearing on local and national TV shows. He was on Maury, Rosie O'Donnell Show, and the Nickelodeon game show Figure It Out. On Figure It Out, he performed the song "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".

When he was six, actor Robert Duvall gave Hunter his first guitar. At age seven, he was invited to play for President Bill Clinton at a White House party. At 13, he appeared on America's Most Talented Kids, where he sang the famous Hank Williams song, "Hey Good Lookin'".

Hunter Hayes' First Albums

When Hunter was nine, he released his first independent album called "Through My Eyes" in 2000. He then released several more albums on his own: Make a Wish (2001), Holidays with Hunter (2003), Honoring our French Heritage (2006), and Songs About Nothing (2008).

Moving to Nashville and Big Breaks

In 2008, Hunter moved from Breaux Bridge to Nashville, Tennessee. This city is famous for country music. He signed a deal with Universal Music Publishing Group to write songs. In 2010, he helped write the song "Play" for the band Rascal Flatts. Later that year, he signed with Atlantic Records Nashville and started working on his first major album.

Hunter Hayes opened for country superstar Taylor Swift on 10 dates of her Speak Now World Tour in the summer of 2011. In April 2011, he went on his own radio tour to share songs from his upcoming album. His first headlining tour was called the Most Wanted Tour, which started in October 2011.

Hayes signing autographs in Frederick, Maryland in August 2012

Hunter and singer Victoria Justice sang a duet for the movie Footloose (2011). They covered the song "Almost Paradise". From January to February 2012, Hayes opened for Rascal Flatts on their "Thaw Out" tour.

Hunter also wrote an original song called "Where We Left Off" for the soundtrack of the 2012 war film Act of Valor. In May 2012, Martin Guitars chose Hunter as their newest brand ambassador. This means he represents their guitar brand. In September 2012, he was honored by being inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Hunter Hayes' Hit Albums and Tours

Hunter Hayes and Storyline (2011–2014)

Hunter Hayes' first single, "Storm Warning", was released in May 2011. His first major album, Hunter Hayes, came out on October 11, 2011. He wrote every song on the album, played every instrument, and helped produce it. "Wanted", his second single, was released in March 2012.

Hayes performing in 2013

On July 24, 2012, "Wanted" was certified Gold by the RIAA, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies. Less than two months later, it was certified Platinum, selling over 1 million copies! "Wanted" became Hunter's first number one song. This made him the youngest male solo artist to top the Hot Country Songs chart. "Somebody's Heartbreak", the third single from the album, also reached number one on the Country Airplay chart.

Starting in September 2012, Hunter Hayes opened for Carrie Underwood on over 90 dates of her Blown Away Tour. He was nominated for three Grammys in 2013, including Best New Artist. He was the youngest male country artist to be nominated in all three categories.

The album's fourth single, "I Want Crazy", was released in April 2013. It reached number two on the Country Airplay chart. Another song, "Everybody's Got Somebody but Me", was re-recorded with guest vocals from Jason Mraz.

Hunter was one of five country singers who won a CMT Artist of the Year award in 2013. This award celebrates country musicians who have had a great year.

Hayes doing a soundcheck at Progressive Field before singing the US national anthem at Game 6 of the 2016 World Series

Hunter performed "Invisible", the first song from his second album, at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. His second album, Storyline, was released on May 6, 2014. To promote this album and help end child hunger, Hunter broke a Guinness World Record. He played the most concerts in different cities in 24 hours! The album's second single, "Tattoo", was released in June 2014.

In July 2014, Hunter Hayes' first album was certified double platinum by the RIAA. This means it sold over 2 million copies! "Light Me Up" was another single released in 2015.

The 21 Project and Recent Music (2015–Present)

On May 21, 2015, Hunter Hayes released "21". This song was the title track for his EP and third album, The 21 Project. He also appeared on the song "I Can Play Guitar" for Brett Kissel's album.

In March 2017, Hunter performed at the C2C: Country to Country festival in the UK. He played alongside other artists like Dan + Shay and Darius Rucker. He returned to the festival in 2019. Hunter also released songs like “Yesterday’s Song” which were planned for an album in 2018. However, he later decided to cancel that project.

Hunter Hayes also appeared as a guest star on the Nickelodeon TV show Bella and the Bulldogs.

In December 2018, Hunter Hayes was a guest star on Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas. He also recorded a duet with Irish singer Catherine McGrath.

In January 2019, Hunter released his first radio single in three years, called "Heartbreak". This was the main song for a new album. Hunter also led the Closer to You Tour in 2019.

In August 2019, Hunter surprised everyone on NBC's Today Show by announcing his album Wild Blue (Part I) would be released soon. This album is the first part of a three-album series.

In April 2020, Hunter Hayes competed on the TV show The Masked Singer as "Astronaut". In June 2020, the Saskatchewan-based Hunter Brothers released their song "Hard Dirt", which Hunter Hayes helped write and produce. He also worked on their 2021 song "Been a Minute".

In October 2021, Hunter released Wild Blue Complete, which was an extended version of his Wild Blue (Part I) album. In April 2023, Hunter Hayes released his album Red Sky.

Hunter Hayes' Music Albums

• Through My Eyes (2000)
• Make a Wish (2001)
• Holidays with Hunter (2003)
• Honoring Our French Heritage (2006)
• Songs About Nothing (2008)
• Hunter Hayes (2011)
• Storyline (2014)
• The 21 Project (2015)
• Wild Blue (2019)
• Red Sky (2023)
• Space Tapes (2024)

Hunter Hayes' Tours

Headlining Tours

• Most Wanted Tour (2011)
• Let's Be Crazy Tour (2013)
• We're Not Invisible Tour (2014)
• 24 Hour Road Race to End Child Hunger (2014)
• Tattoo (Your Name) Tour (2014)
• Let's Be Crazy / Crazier UK Tour (2015)
• 21 Tour (2015)
• Closer to You Tour (2019)
• Red Sky Tour (2023)
• Flying Solo Tour (2023)
• Flying Solo Tour: Season 2 (2024)

Supporting Tours

• Speak Now World Tour – Taylor Swift (2011)
• Blown Away Tour – Carrie Underwood (2012)
• Wheels Up Tour – Lady Antebellum (2015)
• C2C: Country to Country – Reba McEntire (2017), Lady Antebellum (2019)

Hunter Hayes in Movies and TV Shows

Awards and Nominations for Hunter Hayes

Hunter Hayes has won many awards for his music. Here are some of the main ones:

Academy of Country Music Awards

The Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM Awards) celebrate achievements in country music.

American Country Awards

The American Country Awards are chosen by fans. Hunter has won two awards from five nominations.

Grammy Awards

A Grammy Award is a very important award given for outstanding achievements in the music industry.

Other Awards

Hunter Hayes has also won many other awards from different music organizations.

See also

In Spanish: Hunter Hayes para niños